Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

ROCHESTER, NEW
YORK--The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit
against the Hooters restaurant chain, over claims that it discriminated against
an employee with multiple sclerosis.

Melissa Vicari worked as a Hooters Girl from 1998 to 2004. In 2003, her
neurologist diagnosed her as having multiple sclerosis, then sent a note to
Vicari's bosses saying she could work her regular waitress job -- but for
shorter shifts and for just three days a week.

According to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, the suit filed this
week alleges that Hooters refused to accommodate Vicari's disability, giving
her just one or two shifts a week. Often those shifts were during periods that
typically produced few tips, it claims.

"She was essentially penalized for requesting a reasonable accommodation
and given less work than what she was able to do," said Mark Penzel, an EEOC
senior trial attorney. "And that you can't do."

The lawsuit reportedly asks for back wages, compensation and changes to
the restaurant chain's employment policy.

"I want to change something about the way people look at MS," Vicari
said. "And I want to stand up for myself and show people with my disability
that they don't have to just say it's OK to not be treated as well as other
employees."

Hooters has denied the allegations, arguing that it did try to
accommodate Vicari's disability, that it "has a great deal of compassion" for
her, and has offered to compensate her for back pay, including her estimated
tip income.

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center,the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.